Board of Directors

[ BOARD OF DIRECTORS ]

Jan Finlay (Bookkeeper) is a sales agent in the office products industry and a long-time community activist. As a keen supporter of bilingualism in Canada, she has held a variety of Executive positions with Canadian Parents for French at the provincial and national levels. Jan is a committed volunteer with the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, where she has served as the Site Coordinator since 2016, and is also actively engaged with her local community association.

Robert Hall (Corporate Secretary) is a lawyer at Farber Robillard Leith LLP, a small firm specializing in the areas of business and real estate law. Robert has a background in Canadian history, and a keen interest in the National Capital Region. He brings his love for Ottawa and his previous experience in corporate governance to his role as Corporate Secretary.

Chandra Hapuarachchi (Treasurer) CGA, CPA has worked for almost 20 years in Ottawa’s charitable sector as a financial controller and Director of Finance. She has served as Internal Auditor for two Crown corporations in Newfoundland and in finance and accounting in the private sector in Manitoba and the UK. Deeply dedicated to the National Capital Region, Chandra was the 2019 recipient of Volunteer Ottawa's Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award for her meaningful impact in the community through volunteer efforts.

Catherine Harwood is the Regional Development Manager for the Arthritis Society in Ottawa. She has broad fundraising experience, having worked for various health and youth focused non-profits throughout her career including The Children’s Aid Foundation and Easter Seals Ontario in Toronto. Originally from Toronto, Catherine moved to Ottawa in 2016 and has since been actively engaged in efforts to revitalize the cultural landscape of her new home.

Dr. Sterling Jiménez has over 25 years of experience as Director of Finance & Operations for various multinational corporations. He currently works in corporate finance, enterprise valuation, project financing and sector risk consulting for international investors and banks in both Latin America and Europe. He holds a PhD in Management Sciences from the Université de Bordeaux and has previously served as an international professor at that institution as well as at the Université Paris I – Sorbonne.

Megan Lafrenière is an Exhibition Officer with Library and Archives Canada. She has extensive experience in the cultural sector having served as a museum and heritage site interpreter early in her career, co-founded and directed a gallery of Canadian art for over eleven years, and worked with non-profit community museums, including the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum where she managed marketing and exhibitions and developed public programs. Megan served as Vice-Chair of the Board of the Ottawa School of Art and is a member of the Canadian Forces Artists Program Advisory Committee.

Dr. Daina Mazutis is an Associate Professor of Strategy at the University of Ottawa where she also holds a Professorship in Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability (ERS). Prior to joining the University of Ottawa, Daina was a Professor of Strategy, Leadership and Ethics at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Mazutis holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa and a PhD from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario.

Suneeta Millington (Chair) is a Canadian diplomat and international lawyer with particular expertise in global peace and security. She holds extensive experience in relation to the law of armed conflict, the law governing the use of force and the multilateral frameworks addressing emerging domains and emerging technologies. Her postings include the United Nations in New York and in Geneva, as well as exchanges with the Canadian Armed Forces. Suneeta serves on the Board of Directors of the Marchés d'Ottawa Markets Municipal Services Corporation, and along with Leanne Moussa is also the Co-Founder of Prime Ministers' Row.

Carl Neustaedter is Manager of Creative and Language Services at the Canadian Institute for Health Information. He previously served as Director of Communications at the Public Policy Forum, a leading national, non-partisan think tank, and has worked as a senior editor and creative director in Canada’s top news organizations, including The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and the Ottawa Citizen, where he was Managing Editor. Carl is a graduate of Carleton University (Master of Journalism) and the University of Manitoba (BA, History). He serves on the advisory board of Algonquin College’s journalism program.

Betsy Schuurman is a researcher and writer specializing in non-profit fundraising. She has extensive experience in the education sector, beginning her career at the University of Maryland, Baltimore followed by positions in Ottawa at Ashbury College and Carleton University. Betsy has served as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario’s Volunteer Association and is an active member of the Fundraising Committee for Carty House, a home for refugee women, Betsy’s volunteer interests are focused on improving the lives of women and children in Ottawa.

L. A. (Sandy) Smallwood (Vice-Chair) As President of Andrex Holdings, Sandy is a recognized leader in the redevelopment of landmark buildings. He is the recipient of six municipal heritage restoration awards, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award. He currently serves on the City of Ottawa’s Built-Heritage Sub-committee and is the Acting Chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board.